James E. Henschel letter to Emmet - December 30, 1917
Transcript
France, December 30, 1917 Private J.E. Henschel - American Mission - Motor Transport A.E.F. Reserve Mallet - France - Dear Emmet - You letter of December 14th was delivered this afternoon; it pleased me a lot to hear from you. Will you thank your Mother for me for the "knee-caps"? They have not been delivered as yet, but probably will have been long before you read this - judging from the time taken by mail in transit. It was mighty good of her to do things for me, and I certainly do appreciate it. In fact it seems that every one is just a bit too good and too thoughtful of me - for really you know - all of my friends have written
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or sent things, or both until [ms torn] ly know how to say "Thank you" wait until you get over here yourself and see how welcome a letter is. The four that arrived today are the first for a month. You are right about my being in on the ground floor - most emphatically ground - of a vital part of the service. This is something unique in American military history and will develope into a tremendous thing. Consequently there will probably be remarkable opportunity for advancement and the next six months should bring big changes. They have already occured. After being in this service for six months and five days - I am now promoted to the place of private-first-class. Although one does exactly the same things as before - this is a great deal better than being a French conducteur - or an American private; in fact - just $3.00 a month better. You must not think that I am
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at all "dissatisfied"; the trouble would be that I am too completely satisfied. I ought to want a closer whack at friend Boche - but I am getting so that I am not so particular. That is why I am trying to transfer to something else. I can't make infantry (physical disqualifications - although I carried a pack for nine months on the Border) - so I am pulling hard for heavy artillery - since that includes trench mortars, I am told. They tell me that I can not obtain a commission (see "infantry") and when one get down to essentials - any other advancement is no advancement at all. Hence - if I am doomed to be a private the rest of the guerre - it's not going to be in the Q.M.C., and this service is called just that.
Transcript
Now then - having delivered [ms torn] of the "great American gripe [ms torn] - shall proceed. You have read the term "camouflaged"? With us it means my number of things and is used for any occasion that American adaptability can find for it. For instance - a truck newly cleared is "camouflaged" - as is one with the speed-governor removed - to represent a touring car. The most successful artist is the cook who can camouflage the war bread to a likeness of a fried fritter or a bread pudding, and carrots and turnips into a savory meal. But there is no camouflage for an over aged egg. Overalls are also camouflage - indicating a hard-working soldier. (The animal is yet to be found). The most current usage of the term - however - is to indicate one who has an "easy job" or a "soft berth". Being in this sense synonimous with "embusque".
Transcript
We adapt a number of French words and phrases to our own horrible uses - and that is about the extent of our ability in French. I can now buy something in a store, get the substance of newspaper article - hold a conversation (if I know approximately the subjects to be discussed), but the great privilege of "cussing out" someone heartily is, alas, denied me. Here follows a [ms illegible: 1 wd] conversation (pardon the spelling). "Ah - Anglaise?" "No - Americaine." "Long temps en France?" "Six mois." "Beaucoups (or bow-coo) Annee- en France?" "Vingt million peut etre." "Ah - c'est tres bien. Avez vous essence pour briquet?" (This is inevitable; the French cigarette lighter is always out of gasoline).
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"Ah. Oui." "Merci, Monsieur, bon Jour" "Bon Jour." Oh yes - and how long the war lasts - and he always has either a "briquet" made from a 75 shell for sale - or a "souvenir Boche" or both - and for the first two months the American always buys the things. I have a large bag cull of "souvenirs" to worry about. I must close - but will write again soon. Let me hear from you. My regards and sincere gratitude to your mother for her thought of me. Ned. (Pardon both the scrawl and the tone; life as a private is conducive to neither good nor refined letter-writing).
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Emmet - December 30, 1917 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Emmet. 30 December 1917. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated December 30, 1917, Henschel wrote his friend Emmet about his recent promotion, his hopes for a transfer, and the development of camouflage. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps; United States. Army--Promotions.; Camouflage (Military science) |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.51 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 30, 1917 |
| Language | English |